Paulo Gustavo, Comedian Who Lampooned Brazilian Mothers, Dies at 42
Weeks before falling ill, he urged his countrymen to consider laughter “an act of resistance.” One of the country’s most beloved actors, he died of complications of Covid-19.
The Brazilian comedian and actor Paulo Gustavo in 2019. He created the beloved character Dona Hermínia, a wasp-tongued mother, and played her on both stage and screen.
Credit.Victor Pollak/O Globo TV, via Agence France-Presse Getty Images
Published May 7, 2021Updated May 18, 2021
This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others
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RIO DE JANEIRO He was best known for portraying the character Dona Hermínia, a cantankerous but loving middle-aged mother whose sharp tongue and misadventures left Brazilians doubled over in laughter.
Death of Brazilian Comedian Paulo Gustavo Unites Rivals Jair Bolsonaro, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Mourning
On 5/6/21 at 11:36 AM EDT
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his political archrival, were united in mourning the death of Brazilian comedian and actor Paulo Gustavo, 42, who succumbed to COVID-19 Tuesday evening, the Associated Press reported.
The conservative Bolsonaro, who has minimized the coronavirus s threat in his country, tweeted his sadness over Gustavo s death by writing that with his talent and charisma [he] conquered the affection of all Brazil. Da Silva, who is leftist, said Gustavo was a great Brazilian who celebrated our country with so much joy.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Hospitalized since March 13, the star of the blockbusters of recent years underwent extreme procedures but succumbed to the virus.
Comedian, TV host, actor, and screenwriter Paulo Gustavo died at 9:12 PM on Tuesday, May 4, a victim of Covid-19. The performer was 42 years old. The information was confirmed by his press office.
Due to his success as Dona Hermínia, a female character who appeared in theater production and who would give origin to the film franchise Minha Mãe É uma Peça, he became an omnipresent face in the popular comedy . . .
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